Ram Villivalam
Democratic, incumbent
State Senator, 8th District
AI wrote this from the sources listed below. A second AI checked each sentence against its source, and software checked the links and dates. A person didn’t review it, so every sentence links to its source for you to check. Updated Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Overview
Ram Villivalam has represented the 8th District since 2019 and is Majority Caucus Whip.1 He previously was a legislative coordinator for SEIU Healthcare and outreach director for U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider.1 He chairs the Transportation Committee.2
He sponsored a transit funding plan to raise $1.5 billion and avoid 40% service cuts in the Chicago area.3 He sponsored a law setting speed and age regulations for electric bikes and scooters.4 He proposed the POWER Act to set environmental regulations for hyperscale data centers.5 He sponsored a bill raising the mandatory annual driving test age from 79 to 87.6 His campaign highlights laws he supported allowing rideshare drivers to unionize and requiring transparency on PFAS chemicals in wastewater.7
Campaign money
- Reporting period
- April 1 to June 30, 2026
- Raised
- $100,400
- Cash on hand
- $531,074
| Source | Amount | Share of money raised |
|---|---|---|
| Small gifts ($150 or less) | $25 | Under 1% |
| Larger gifts | $20,000 | 20% |
| PACs, parties and other campaign committees | $80,375 | 80% |
Large contributions reported since June 30, 2026: $263,870 in 55 gifts. See the large contribution reports.
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections filings for Friends of Ram
Endorsements
Sources
- Ram Villivalam (D) - Illinois General Assembly, Illinois General Assembly. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Biography - Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam, Ram Villivalam campaign. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Legislative leaders discuss next steps for failed transit reform push, Capitol News Illinois. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Pritzker Signs New Illinois Law Establishing Rules for Electric Bikes, Scooters, WTTW / Capitol News Illinois. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- POWER Act: Lawmakers seek to regulate new data centers, Capitol News Illinois. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Illinois lawmakers pass bill to raise age of senior driving tests, Capitol News Illinois. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam, Ram Villivalam campaign. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Planned Parenthood Illinois Action board unveils 2026 general election endorsements, Windy City Times. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSED CANDIDATES, Chicago Federation of Labor. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- 2026 Primary Election, Chicago Teachers Union. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- ILLINOIS ENDORSEMENTS, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- 2026 Primary Election Endorsements, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Illinois AFL-CIO Announces Endorsements for 2026 General Election, Illinois AFL-CIO. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.